rec.autos.simulators

Gpl: Pedals and Squashballs

Andrew Cunningha

Gpl: Pedals and Squashballs

by Andrew Cunningha » Thu, 02 Mar 2000 04:00:00

There has been much talk of using a squash ball under various brake
pedals, used when playing Gpl.

I have an MSFF wheel and pedals and was wondering what/where is the
best application of a squah ball on the MS pedals.

Any advice/experience would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Andy

_____________________________________________
Andy Cunningham
Stockholm, Sweden    

ICQ: 11355339

LL

Gpl: Pedals and Squashballs

by LL » Thu, 02 Mar 2000 04:00:00

If you have a MS product you have do use bigger stuff, how about a basket
ball ?

Joke


> There has been much talk of using a squash ball under various brake
> pedals, used when playing Gpl.

> I have an MSFF wheel and pedals and was wondering what/where is the
> best application of a squah ball on the MS pedals.

> Any advice/experience would be greatly appreciated.

> Thanks, Andy

> _____________________________________________
> Andy Cunningham
> Stockholm, Sweden

> ICQ: 11355339

Kurt Steinboc

Gpl: Pedals and Squashballs

by Kurt Steinboc » Thu, 02 Mar 2000 04:00:00

I have the same wheel, and the pedal unit is PERFECT for the "Squash Ball
Modification."  I cut a Penn raquetball in half, folded one-half, and
inserted it into the slot in the base under the brake pedal, cut (open) side
down.  You can slide it in the slot until it's in a position you like, but
mine is just about touching the brake lever (not actually the pedal itself).
And it fits so well in the slot, you don't even need to tape it in place or
anything.

Drop me a note if you don't follow this.

Kurt


>There has been much talk of using a squash ball under various brake
>pedals, used when playing Gpl.

>I have an MSFF wheel and pedals and was wondering what/where is the
>best application of a squah ball on the MS pedals.

>Any advice/experience would be greatly appreciated.

>Thanks, Andy

>_____________________________________________
>Andy Cunningham
>Stockholm, Sweden

>ICQ: 11355339

Richard G Cleg

Gpl: Pedals and Squashballs

by Richard G Cleg » Fri, 03 Mar 2000 04:00:00

: There has been much talk of using a squash ball under various brake
: pedals, used when playing Gpl.

: I have an MSFF wheel and pedals and was wondering what/where is the
: best application of a squah ball on the MS pedals.

: Any advice/experience would be greatly appreciated.

  Well, I cut a squashball in half and glued it just under the brake
pedal with the cut side down.  I put enough glue on that the seal was
airtight.  It works pretty well... you really feel an increase in
resistance for that last bit of braking.  The only problem is that
there's such long travel with the MS wheel that there's no resistance
whatsoever for the first bit of braking.  A nuisance at Monaco which
requires really subtle braking in points.  

  Experiment with placement to get a compromise between the ball having
no effect at the top of the pedal travel and it being too hard to press
at the bottom of the pedal travel.

--
Richard G. Clegg       Only the mind is waving
    Networks and Non-Linear Dynamics Group
      Dept. of Mathematics, Uni. of York
    www:  http://manor.york.ac.uk/top.html

john moor

Gpl: Pedals and Squashballs

by john moor » Sat, 04 Mar 2000 04:00:00

The theory behind the ball trick is to simulate the increased resistance
that a real brake pedal would provide. It is essential to have the ball
start compressing as soon as you push on the pedal and fully stiffen in
the desired pedal travel. You can use any kind of ball that fits where
you want it. A ball with an air bladder will get progressivley stiffer
more so than a solid *** ball. If you can't find a good spot to place
the ball then build a pedal box " base with a backstop" to give you a
good location for the ball. You can glue it***it tape it or whatever
in place. You can change the pedals feel and travel by moving the ball
closer to or further away from the pivot. By placing the ball further up
the pedal "away from the pivot" you will  increase the stiffness of the
pedal while decreasing the pedal travel. Conversely by placing the ball
more towards the pedal pivot you will get a softer pedal feel and a
longer pedal travel. Do some experimenting and you find what you want.
FYI I tried elastomers from bicycle suspension, shocks from r/c cars and
all kinds of springs.
John Moore
" the originator of the pedal ball trick"

> There has been much talk of using a squash ball under various brake
> pedals, used when playing Gpl.

> I have an MSFF wheel and pedals and was wondering what/where is the
> best application of a squah ball on the MS pedals.

> Any advice/experience would be greatly appreciated.

> Thanks, Andy

> _____________________________________________
> Andy Cunningham
> Stockholm, Sweden

> ICQ: 11355339

GTX_SlotCa

Gpl: Pedals and Squashballs

by GTX_SlotCa » Sat, 04 Mar 2000 04:00:00

I can see that placing the ball closer to the pedal would give a softer feel
because of increased leverage, but I don't see how it increases pedal
travel. Mathematically, it should decrease the travel. I suppose if the ball
was stiff enough you could compress it more as it's closer to the fulcrum
(pivot) because of increased leverage, but still it  would depend on the
stiffness of the ball. A  ball that is soft enough to achieve maximum
compression far from the pivot  would give more travel. Well, just my
opinion.

Slot


> The theory behind the ball trick is to simulate the increased resistance
> that a real brake pedal would provide. It is essential to have the ball
> start compressing as soon as you push on the pedal and fully stiffen in
> the desired pedal travel. You can use any kind of ball that fits where
> you want it. A ball with an air bladder will get progressivley stiffer
> more so than a solid *** ball. If you can't find a good spot to place
> the ball then build a pedal box " base with a backstop" to give you a
> good location for the ball. You can glue it***it tape it or whatever
> in place. You can change the pedals feel and travel by moving the ball
> closer to or further away from the pivot. By placing the ball further up
> the pedal "away from the pivot" you will  increase the stiffness of the
> pedal while decreasing the pedal travel. Conversely by placing the ball
> more towards the pedal pivot you will get a softer pedal feel and a
> longer pedal travel. Do some experimenting and you find what you want.
> FYI I tried elastomers from bicycle suspension, shocks from r/c cars and
> all kinds of springs.
> John Moore
> " the originator of the pedal ball trick"


> > There has been much talk of using a squash ball under various brake
> > pedals, used when playing Gpl.

> > I have an MSFF wheel and pedals and was wondering what/where is the
> > best application of a squah ball on the MS pedals.

> > Any advice/experience would be greatly appreciated.

> > Thanks, Andy

> > _____________________________________________
> > Andy Cunningham
> > Stockholm, Sweden

> > ICQ: 11355339


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